Rajya Sabha appeals to northeast people to come back

New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha Friday unanimously passed a resolution extending support to people from the northeast and appealing to them to return to their places of work or study.

"Our brothers and sisters of northeast are leaving various cities and returning to their states. All sections of this house and all political parties are of firm opinion that as citizens of this country they have a right to live in any part of India," Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Hamid Ansari said reading the resolution.

"Full security should be provided to them in all parts of India. This house appeals to all those who are returning to northeast not to be misled by false rumours and to come back to their places of study or work," Ansari said after leaders from all parties extended support to the northeast citizens.

"Their presence in various parts of country promotes national unity. The mischief mongers and anti-national elements behind the electronic campaign who created panic must be urgently investigated by the authorities," he said.

The Rajya Sabha Friday adjourned the question hour to discuss large-scale exodus of people belonging to the northeast from various major cities. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also urged all parties to come together to ensure safety of people from the northeast.